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Source: Photosport -
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Fullback Mils Muliaina has been appointed New Zealand captain
for the All Blacks home tests against France and Italy next
month.
Muliaina, who captained the Waikato Chiefs to the Super 14 final,
takes over from the injured Richie McCaw, who was sidelined with a
knee problem.
"Mils is in the leaders group in the All Blacks," New Zealand coach
Graham Henry said in a statement on Sunday.
"He has done a fantastic job as captain of the Chiefs in the Super
14 and has a great deal of respect... amongst his peers."
Rodney So'oialo, who led the All Blacks last season when McCaw was
injured, was not included in the 26-man squad because of a neck
injury.
"Rodney has had an incredibly demanding Super 14 season, starting
in 13 of the (Wellington) Hurricanes matches this year and that
follows several years of intense, top-level rugby," Henry
said.
"We are taking a proactive approach and giving him some time to
recover and rehab."
Dan Carter, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Anthony Boric, Andy Ellis, Corey
Flynn and Scott Waldrom were also not considered because of
injuries.
The squad included three uncapped players; lock Isaac Ross, his
Canterbury Crusaders team mate and prop team mate Wyatt Crockett
and Chiefs flanker Tanerau Latimer.
The All Blacks' first test of 2009 is against France in Dunedin on
June 13. They play the French again a week later in Wellington
before a one-off test against Italy in Christchurch on June
27.
"France will again be a difficult challenge for the All Blacks,"
Henry said. "They have picked their strongest squad available and
history shows they are often successful against the All
Blacks.
"Italy will bring a different challenge. They will be well coached
by the very experienced South African coach Nick Mallet and will
bring a lot of physicality and scrummaging power to the
contest."
All Blacks rugby squad named on Sunday for home tests
against France (two) and Italy next month:
Forwards:
Jerome Kaino, Tanerau Latimer, Adam Thomson,
Liam Messam, Kieran Read, Brad Thorn, Ali Williams, Isaac Ross,
John Afoa, Neemia Tialata, Tony Woodcock, Wyatt Crockett, Andrew
Hore, Keven Mealamu
Backs: Mils Muliaina (captain), Cory Jane, Joe
Rokocoko, Rudi Wulf, Richard Kahui, Conrad Smith, Isaia Toeava,
Ma'a Nonu, Stephen Donald, Piri Weepu, Jimmy Cowan, Brendon
Leonard
